Fruit and nut harvester



y 3, 1966 w. A. GERRANS 3,248,865

FRUIT AND NUT HARVESTER Original Filed Nov. 17, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR. WILLIAM A. GERRANS PATENT AGENT y 3, 1966 w. A. GERRANS3,248,865

FRUIT AND NUT HARVESTER Original Filed Nov. 17, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 (0N N 9/ g N N 00 IO N N O N m 0 w m 9 N O O :0 r I?) 9 r0 O O N 9 o N &

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FRUIT AND NUT HARVESTER Original Filed Nov. 17, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 5FIG 5 INVENTOR. WILLIAM A. GERRANS ayywkkg'mb PATENT AGENT May 3, 1966w. A. GERRANS FRUIT AND NUT HARVESTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original FiledNov. 17, 1961 Q wE wmm

INVENTOR. WILLIAM A. GERRANS Q1 wmm PATENT AGENT May 3, 1966 w. A.GERRANS FRUIT AND NUT HARVESTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Nov. 17,1961 INVENTOR. WILLIAM A.GERRANS Jul PATENT AGENT y 1966 w. A. GERRANS3,248,865

FRUIT AND NUT HARVES'IER Original Filed Nov. 17, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 63l6 32s r'l I Q i I 66' I I, |3 w E f) I L 306 FIG I?) INVENTOR.

WILLIAM A. GERRANS BY 6M6? PATENT AGENT United States Patent 3,248,865FRUHT AND NUT HARVESTER William A. Gerrans, 15 Florimond Drive, Colusa,Calif. Continuation of application Ser. No. 153,059, Nov. 17, 1961. Thisapplication May 10, 1965, Ser. No. 468,664 16 Claims. (Cl. 56-328) Thepresent invention relates to mechanical harvesting equipment, and moreparticularly to a harvester for treegrown fruits and nuts. This is acontinuation of my copendin-g application, Ser. No. 153,069 filedNovember 17, 1961, now abandoned.

The decreased availability of personnel for manual fruit and nutharvesting combined with the increased cost of such labor has resultedin ever-greater effort directed to the development of fruit and nutharvesters of a mechanical and preferably substantially automaticnature. Since, it is well known that vibration of a tree will dislodgeripe fruit or nuts carried thereby, various mechanical tree shakers havebeen devised. Such shakers are conventionally mounted on a tractor or ona catching unit that receives the dislodged fruit or nuts and is, insome cases, arranged to convey the product to receiving boxes or bins.

For effecting operation, it is obviously necessary that a largepercentage of the fruit or nuts be dislodged by the shaker, and as aresult, rather considerable shaking forces must be developed. Theseforces have caused damage not only to the bark and/ or limbs of the treebut also to the tractor or other shaker-supporting unit, and as aconsequence, the theoretical advantages of mechanical shaking have beenmore than offset by the noted damage to the trees and the supportingunits. -By way of example, instances are known where an expensivetractor has been damaged substantially beyond repair during a one-monthharvesting season.

Additional failure to realize the theoretical advantages of mechanicalfruit and nut harvesting has stemmed from the poor maneuverability ofthe presently-available units. The time requisite to establish shakingcontact with the tree and appropriate positioning of the catching unitthereunder has been so excessive as to render the comparatively shorttime needed to harvest the fruit from an individual tree a secondary andrelatively unimportant consideration in the overall harvestingoperation.

With these and other more specific deficiencies of known harvestingequipment in mind, it is the general object of the present invention toprovide a fruit and nut harvester which is at once simple, effective,and rapid in its operation, and moreover, precludes damage to the treesand to the tractor or other supporting structure.

It is a significant feature of the present invention to provide a fruitand nut harvester that incorporates an inertia shaking mechanism and amounting arrangement therefor so that although considerable shakingforce may be imparted to an engaged tree, substantially no force istransmitted to the tractor or other structure that supports such shakingmechanism.

A correlated feature of the invention is the provision of a fruit andnut harvester wherein the mounting for the shaking mechanism is arrangedto enable easy manipulation into tree engaging relationship althoughsubstantially no forces are transmitted through such mountingarrangement to the shaker supporting structure.

Yet an additional feature of the invention is the provision forconvenient, accessible control of the placement and operation of theshaking mechanism in order to optimize the overall rate of fruit or nutharvesting.

More particularly, it is a feature of the invention to provide a readilyaccessible hydraulic control system for 3,248,865 Patented May 3, 1966effecting engagement with the tree and subsequent shaking or vibrationthereof.

Yet another feature of the invention is the provision of a tree clampingarrangement which effectively transmits vibratory forces to the tree yetminimizes any bark or limb damage thereto.

Additionally, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, it is afeature to provide for the application of shaking or vibratory forces tothe tree at various selected angles after clamping engagement has beenestablished with the tree.

Yet another feature of the invention is the provision of a fruit and nutharvester that includes a tree shaking mechanism and a catching unit fordislodged fruit or nuts arranged in a complementary fashion so as tofacilitate their conjoined utilization.

Yet more particularly, it is a feature of the invention to provide forthe mounting of a shaking mechanism on a fruit or nut catching unit in amanner such that ready adjustment fora harvesting operation and/ortransportation of the entire assembly is facilitated.

Another feature of the invention relating particularly to the catchingunit is the provision of a structural arran gement including catchingelements and a conveyor arranged in a manner to facilitate the receptionand subsequent delivery of the received fruit or nuts into storage boxesor bins.

Yet another feature of the invention is the provision of a combined treeshaking mechanism and catching unit on a common mobile frame so as tofacilitate the placement of the entire harvesting unit into operativeharvesting relationship with each individual tree.

A correlated feature is the provision of a common prime mover to effectmotion of the mobile unit, clamping engagement with a tree, dislodgingor fruits or nuts from such tree, and conveyance of the dislodged fruitor nuts into receiving bins or boxes.

These as well as additional objects and features of the invention willbecome more apparent from a perusal of the following description of thestructures illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the inventionwherein a tree-shaking mechanism is mounted on a conventional tractor,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the FIG. 1 structure, portionsbeing broken away to illustrate certain details,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a modified embodiment of theinvention showing a tree-shaking mechanism mounted on a fruit or nutcatching unit,

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the FIG. 4 structure,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view thereof taken along line66 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a portion of the structure asviewed in FIG. 6 but in a different operational position,

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a treeengaging hookconstituting part of the structure illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6,portions being broken away to illustrate structural details,

FIG. 9 is a hydraulic control diagram illustrating the systemincorporated in the structure illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6,

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan view of the end portionof a modified form of tree-engaging and shaking mechanism, and

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of such modified form oftree-engaging and shaking mechanism partially illustrated in FIG. 10,

a FIG. 12 is an enlarged top plan view of the shaking unit shown in FIG.6, portions of the structure being broken away to illustrate interiorstructural details, and FIG. 13 is a broken sectional view taken alongline 1313 of FIG. 12.

Generally, in accordance with the present invention, the fruit and nutharvester embodies an improved tree shaking mechanism and supportingstructure therefor to enable such shaking mechanism to be brought intooperative fruit or nut harvesting engagement with a tree. The supportingstructure may include a conventional mobile support, such as a tractor,in which case the dislodged fruit or nuts are subsequently gathered fromthe ground by any one of a number of known pick-up devices which form nopart of the present invention, or preferably, the supporting structurewill include a catching unit which receives the dislodged fruit or nutsand automatically conveys the same to storage bins or boxes.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, one embodiment of theinvention, wherein the shaking mechanism is mounted on a conventionaltractor, is illustrated and will be initially described. Generally, thisfirst embodiment of the invention includes a boom 20 having a atree-engaging clamp 22 mounted at its outer free end and a shakingmechanism 24 for imparting shaking or vibratory motion longitudinally ofthe boom carried at its inner supported end, the entire structure beingmounted on a tractor 26 so that although pivotal and longitudinaladjustments of the boom 20 can be made in order to effect engagementwith a tree T and subsequent shaking thereof, substantially no vibratoryforces are transmitted to the supporting tractor.

More particularly, a vertical standard 30. is rotatably supported insuitable brackets 32 secured to the forward portion of the tractor andmounts at its upper end a generally transverse horizontal rod 34 thatpivotally supports at its extremities one end of a forwardly projectingflat rectangular frame 36 that consists of laterally-spaced, facingparallel U-channel members 38 and suitable rigid braces 40 joining suchchannel members to maintain their parallel spaced relationship. Onehydraulic cylinder 42 is connected pivotally between the tractor 26 andthe projecting frame 36 to enable variance of its horizontal angle ofprojection from its pivotal support on the tractor, and a secondhydraulic cylinder 44 is connected between the rotatable standard 301andthe frame 36 to enable vertical adjustment of the latter about thehorizontal pivot defined bythe transverse rod 34. Suitable valvedhydraulic connections are made from both cylinders 42, 44 to a hydraulicpump (not shown) on the tractor and under control of the tractoroperator.

The inturned flanges of the facing U-channel members 38- of the pivotedframe 36 loosely confine therebetween the four wheels or rollers 50 of aboom carriage 52 that also consists oflongitudinal and transverse frameelements 37, 39and is adapted to roll longitudinally of the supportingframe 36 a limited distance toward or away from the tractor-26. Theboomcarriage 52 centrally supports a tubular sleeve 54 that is adapted toreceive and support the boom 20 itself, whichis also of-tubularconstruction, on the boom carriage 52 for relative rotation with respectthereto. In order to effect rotation of the boom 20 within the sleeve54, an arm 56 is operatively joined to the boom beyond one end of thesleeve 54 by a universal joint and is connected through suitable linkage581110 an actuating handle 60 adjacent the operators seat on the tractor26. Collars 62 on the boom 20 at opposite ends of the sleeve 54 assurelongitudinal movement. of the boom 20 with the boom carriage 52.

In order to effect longitudinal or axial movement of the boom 20 and theboom carriage 52, a rearwardly projecting tongue 64, rigidly mounted onthe boom carriage 52, is pivotally connected to one end of a connectingrod 66, the other end of which is pivotally joined to an eccen tricallylocated pin 68 on a crank shaft 70 suitably supported in bearings 72 ona secondary mounting frame 74 that slidably encompasses the tongue 64and carries a hydraulic motor 76 whose drive shaft 78 is connected tothe crank shaft 70 by a suitable belt and pulley arrangement, indicatedat 80. Thus, when the hydraulic motor 76 is actuated through suitableflexible hydraulic lines (not shown) connected to the aforementionedhydraulic pump on the tractor 26, one mass including the hydraulic motor76 and its mounting frame 74 is caused to move first toward and thenaway from a second mass including the boom 20 and the boom carriage 52,to thus effect an inertial vibration of the latter, such inertial effectbeing generally well known. However, it is to be noted that while theinertial vibration causes relative movement of the hydraulic motor 76and the joined boom 20 and boom carriage 52, since the boom carriage ismounted by the rollers 50 on the pivoted frame 36 connected to thetractor 26, substantially no vibratory forces are delivered to suchpivoted frame or the tractor itself.

For the harvesting of prunes by way of example, a hydraulic pressure of2000 pounds per square inch is delivered by the pump to the hydraulicmotor 76 to efiect a rotation of approximately 1000 revolutions perminute, and the eccentric pin 68 is mounted to provide a boom stroke ofapproximately three inches. Preferably, for this same harvestingfunction, the overall length of the tubular boom 20 is approximatelytwenty feet.

At its outer end, the boom 20 carries the mentioned tree-engaging clamp22 that, as best illustrated in FIG. 2, includes a pair of like clampingjaws 86 that are adapted to project on opposite sides of a tree trunk orlimb that is to be shaken. More particularly, the clamping jaws 86 arepivotally mounted on parallel pins 88 on brackets 90' that. projectangularly forward from opposite sides of the boom 20, each jaw being ofslightly curved or hooked configuration so as to substantiallyentirelyencompass the tree T when the jaws are pivoted into opposedengagement therewith. A coil spring 92 is mounted within the end of thetubular boom 20under compression between a shoulder 94' thereon and aslidable tube 96 that engages the inwardly projecting ends of theclamping jaws 86 so as to normally urge such jaws into open, inoperativepositions. In order to effect clamping engagement of the jaws 86 with anencompassed tree T, a cable 98 is connected to two link chains 98a, 98b,fastened to the inwardly projecting ends of the jaws and extends throughthe entire length of the tubular boom 20 and around a pulley 100 forconnection to one end of a hydraulic cylinder 102 that is mounted on thesleeve 54 and is adapted, upon actuation through a suitable controllinkage (not shown) accessible to the tractor operator, to exert tensionon the cable 98 and thus effect the desired closure of the'clamping jaws86 into engagement with the tree trunk or limb. Preferably, the innersurfaces of the jaws 86 are provided with a layer of rubber or otherresilient material 86A so as to enable the transmission of shaking forceto the tree'T yet minimize the possibility of damage to its bark.

In order to rapidly position the described tree clamp in encompassingrelationship with a tree trunk or limb, a rod projects downwardly fromthe boom carriage 52 and is engaged onits opposite side by theprojecting ends of opposed hydraulic cylinders-112, 114-that are mountedon the transverse members 40 of the pivoted frame 36 in substantiallongitudinal alignment with the boom 20 and are actuated by suitablecontrol linkage (not shown) accessibleto the tractor operator.Onehydraulic cylinder can be retracted while the other is extended tothus shift the longitudinal position of the boom carriage 52 on thepivoted frame 36 to accordingly extend or retract the boom 20 and theclamp 22 at its outer end. After clamped engagement has been establishedwith the tree T, both hydraulic cylinders 112, 114 are retracted so thatthe clamp 22, the boom .20, and the boom carriage 52, are free toreciprocate relative to the pivoted frame 36 under the in- I ertialactuation of the hydraulic motor 76, as described hereinabove.

In use, the tractor 26 is driven by the operator to a positionappropriately adjacent the tree T and the pivoted frame 36 is elevatedand/or turned until the clamp 22 is aligned with the trunk or limb to beshaken but spaced a short distance therefrom. Such position is attainedpreferably while the boom carriage 52 is fully withdrawn on thesupporting pivoted frame 36 through appropriate actuation of the opposedhydraulic cylinders 112, 114. After such adjacent positioning has beenattained, the operator actuates the handle 60 to rotate the boom anappropriate amount, if necessary, to bring the clamping jaws 86 intoalignment with the opposite sides of the trunk or limb of the tree T andthe opposed hydraulic cylinders 112, 114 are then actuated to projectthe boom carriage 52, the boom 20, and the clamping jaws 86 intotree-encompassing relationship. The clamp hydraulic cylinder 102 is thenactuated to close the jaws 86 into tight clamping engagement with thetrunk or limb of the tree T, and the positioning hydraulic cylinders112, 114 are then fully retracted to permit free forward and rearwardmotion of the boom carriage 52 and the supported boom and clamp 22longitudinally of the pivoted supporting frame 36. The operator may noweffect hydraulic actuation of the hydraulic motor 76 so as to exertinertial forces longitudinally of the boom 20 to swing the trunk or limbof the tree to and fro rapidly thus to dislodge the fruit or nutstherefrom.

The fruit or nuts are either dropped onto the ground, in which case, aseparate ground pick-up mechanism is employed to complete theharvesting, or alternatively, a separate catching unit may be positionedunder the tree T during the shaking operation to receive and collect thedislodged fruit or nuts, neither arrangement being illustrated sincethey form no part of the present invention.

After the fruit or nuts have been entirely dislodged from the tree T,the opposed hydraulic cylinders 112, 114 are first brought into opposedcontact with the boom carriage 52 and the clamp 22 is then opened andsubsequently withdrawn from the sides of the trunk or limb by furtheractuation of the opposed hydraulic cylinders 112, 1-14 whereupon thetractor 26 may be driven to the next tree to be harvested or the boom 20may be adjusted to provide engagement with another limb on the same treeand the described operation repeated at such new position. It is to beparticularly observed that the tractor 26 need only bring the boom 20into an adjacent position relative to a tree and the boom adjustment andthe final movement of the clamp 22 into trunk or limb engagement isachieved through the hydraulic control mechanisms which are sufficientlysensitive so that neither the tree nor the boom will be damaged duringinitial engagement therebetween. Further, it is to be noted thatalthough the boom carriage 52 during operation will transmit no forcesto its supporting frame 36 or the tractor 26, yet during positioning ofthe boom 20 and more particularly the clamp 22 in engagement with thetree T, positive control of the boom and clamp disposition is enabled.

As has been mentioned hereinabove, a separate catching unit can beemployed with the described first embodiment of the invention, but inaccordance with certain additional aspects of the invention, thesupporting structure for the shaking mechanism can take the form of amobile unit that is itself formed to provide a catching unit, asillustrated in FIGS. 4 to 9. As will become apparent from the followingdescription certain advan tages accrue from the utilization of such aconjoined structure, the most important of which is the mounting of theshaking mechanism on the catching unit so that when such catching unitis appropriately positioned to receive fruit or. nuts from a tree,access to the trunk and limbs of the tree by the shaking mechanism isassured.

The catching unit includes a generally flat rectangular frame 200supported for movement on more or less conventional wheels 202, 204,which, however, are arranged to provide a longitudinal slopingdisposition of such frame so that the same rises from a total height ofapproximately eighteen inches at its forward end to a height ofapproximately forty inches at its rearmost extremity, as can best bevisualized by reference to FIG. 4. For such support, the front wheels202 are relatively small and are mounted under the frame 200 apredetermined distance rearwardly of the front end of the catching unit.These front wheels 202 are mounted for conjoint pivotal movement aboutvertical axes and their disposition is controlled in a conventionalmanner by suitable linkage (not shown) connecting the wheels to asteering wheel 206 mounted at the right rear of the catching unit. Theother supporting wheels 204 for the unit, which are preferably larger,are mounted adjacent the rear end of the catching unit frame 200 and aresuitably driven from a hydraulic motor 208 actuated by a hydraulic pump210 connected to a tank 211 and driven by a gasoline engine 212, all ofwhich are mounted at the right rear of the unit adjacent theaforementioned steering wheel 206. Since these drive units and theconnecting elements are conventional, they will not be described indetail.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the mentioned frame 200 includes parallellongitudinal frame members 214 that are joined by suitable rigid crossbraces 216 and support therebetween an endless conveyor 218 thatconsists of an endless piece of canvas 220 of appropriate dimensionsthat is secured on three spaced conveyor belts 222, each of which istrained about suitable friction rollers 224 secured in alignedrelationship on transverse shafts 226 rotatably mounted by suitablebearings on the longitudinal members 214 of the frame 200 adjacent theopposite extremities thereof. The shaft 226 adjacent the rear end of thecatching unit is connected through a suitable clutch (not shown) to theengine 212 so that the conveyor 218 will be driven at an appropriaterate of speed with its upper flight moving from the front to the rear ofthe catching unit.

A rod 230 is mounted to extend the entire length of the frame 200 abovethe longitudinal frame member 214 on the right side of the unit andpivotally supports a pair of wings 232, 234 that are slightly spaced asindicated at 236 and each of which consists of a rectangular framecomposedof tubing with canvas suitably secured over the upper surfacethereof and braces 238 pivotally secured to its undersurface anddetachably to the side of the frame member 214 so as to hold the wing ina laterally angular disposition whose slope is suflicient to insure thatany fruit or nuts falling thereupon will subsequently roll thereoverdownwardly onto the previously described conveyor 218. When the braces238 are detached from the frame member 214, the wings 232, 234 can bepivoted to lie over the conveyor 218 in inoperative positions.

On the left side of the catching unit,a retractable canvas wing,generally indicated at 240, is supported. More particularly, and withadditional reference to FIG. 7, a long shaft 242 extends above theentire length of the longitudinal frame member 214 and is rotatablysupported at its extremities in suitable bearings 244. Between thesebearings, a large piece of canvas 246 is connected at its one'edge tothe shaft 242' so that upon appropriate rotation of the shaft, thecanvas canbe rolled thereon or unrolled therefrom. At its opposite edge,the canvas 246 is secured to two rod sections 248, each of which extendsfrom one end thereof a predetermined distance so that the centralportion of the canvas edge remains unsupported by the rod sections. Aresilient cord 250 is'tied at its ends to the rod sections 248-andresiliently supports the edge of the canvas 246m the central spacebetween the rods. Between the rotatably supported ends of the shaft 242,spaced pairs of freely rotatable rollers 252, 254 are mounted inalignment on the upper side of the longitudinal frame member 214 and areadapted to provide longitudinally-spaced support for the shaft 242 andthe canvas 246 rolled thereon.

In order to unroll the canvas 246 from its retracted position, as shownin FIG. 7, and achieve the desired extension of the wing 240 in thetransversely sloped disposition, as illustrated in FIGS. and 6, whereatfruit or nuts can be received thereon and permitted to roll downwardlyonto the centrally-disposed conveyor 218, means generally indicated at260 are pivotally connected between the side of the longitudinal framemember 214 and each of the rod sections 248 at the outer edge of thecanvas. More particularly, and with continued reference to FIGS. 5, 6and 7, such Wing-extension means 260 includes a pivot rod 262 rigidlysecured to the side of the frame member 214 in a substantial parallelismtherewith and an extensible linkage pivotally supported on such rod andconnected at its remote end to the respective one of the rod sections248 at the outer edge of the canvas 246. Between a base member 264 whichis pivotally mounted on the described rod 262 and one extremity of afirst dual-toggle linkage 266, a coil spring 268 is disposed undercompression so as to normally urge such toggle linkage into an extendedposition. One link of the toggle linkage 266 is extended so as to form alengthened link of a second dual-toggle linkage 270 whose outerextremity is secured to the described rod section 248. Thus, when thefirst toggle linkage 266 is extended, the second toggle linkage 270 isautomatically extended therewith underthe action of the coil spring 268to ultimately urge the rod section 248 away from the supporting rod 262for the toggle linkages 266, 270.

In order that the canvas may not only be extended directly outwardlyfrom its collapsed or rolled disposition, as illustrated in FIG. 7 toits extended sloping disposition, illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, but alsobe firmly held at this latter sloping disposition, a third linkage 272is connected rigidly at its one end to the supporting rod 262 andpivotally at its remote end to the outer extremity of the first togglelinkage 266. The lengths of the links in this linkage 272 are such thatas the extension of the toggle linkages 226 and 270 occurs under theaction of the coil spring 268 so as to effect extension of the rodsection 248, the third linkage 272 effects a pivoting of the entirewing-extension means 260 about the supporting rod 262 from the verticaldisposition, illustrated in FIG. 7, to the angular dispositionillustrated in FIG. 6. At such extended disposition, all of the linkages266, 270, 272 are substantially straightened and provided a rigidsupport for the rod section 248 and accordingly a firm support for theextended canvas wing 240.

In order to retract the wing 240 against the action of the coil spring268, a crank 274 is releasably connected to one end of the canvassupporting shaft 242. Manual turning of. the crank 274 winds the canvason the shaft 242 and a conventional releasable ratchet mechanism 276holds the canvas in its wound or rolled disposition.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the described catching unitcan be driven by an operator into a position generally adjacent atree Twhile the left side wing 240 is retracted, as shown in FIG. 7. Once anappropriate position has been obtained with the tree T substantiallycentrally aligned with the center of the left side of the catching unit,further forward motion of the catching unit is stopped and the operatorreleases the left-side wing 240, which thereupon is projected under theaction of the compressed coil spring 268 to an outwardly extended andappropriately sloped position with the resilient central portion inencompassing engagement with the tree T, as shown best in FIG. 5. Itwill be observed that the cen tral resilient section of the wing 240provides encompassment of the tree T even though considerable latitudein the precise placement of the catching unit is permitted.

Consequently, the catching unit can be brought into operative engagementwith each tree T both quickly and easily to thus expedite the harvestingoperation.

Any fruit or nuts falling on the wings 232, 234, 2.40 will, under theforce of gravity, roll downwardly onto the central conveyor 218 Whichwill carry such fruit or nuts together with those that fall directly onthe conveyor from the front to the rear of the catching unit.Preferably, at the rear end of the catching unit, a pair of conventionalfork structures 280 are mounted for vertical adjustment under control ofthe operator through adjustment wheels 282 located adjacent thedescribed steering wheel 206 and appropriate connecting linkage (notshown). These forks 280 are adjusted so that the open top of a bin orbox resting thereon will be below the end of the conveyor 218 to receivethe fruit or nuts discharged therefrom.

It will be apparent that the described catching unit will receive fruitor nuts only from one half of a tree T. A similar catching unit can bedriven to the other side of the tree T simultaneously to receive anddeposit in boxes or bins the fruit or nuts dropped from that side. Forthe specific purpose of harvesting prunes, the overall length of thecatching unit should be approximately twenty-five feet and the overallwidth including the projecting wings 232, 234, 240 should beapproximately fifteen feet. Such dimensions permit easy movement of thecatching units through an orchard when the left side wing 240is in itsrolled or retracted position. Yet when such wing 240 is extended toclosely encompass the tree T in its operative position, reception of allfruit or nuts from the tree is assured.

In order to dislodge the fruit or nuts from the tree T when thedescribed catching unit is positioned thereunder, an inertia shakingmechanism of general similarity to that described in connection with thefirst embodiment of the invention is mounted directly on the catchingunit in a position such that when the catching unit is appropri atelypositioned for reception of the fruit or nuts from the tree, as abovedescribed, the shaking mechanism can be quickly and easily moved intotree-engaging position to instigate the dislodging of the fruit or nuts.

With continued reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, preferably a tubularstandard 300 is mounted on the right side longitudinal frame member 214approximately centrally thereof to project upwardly through the space236 between the wings 232, 234 of the catching unit and pivotally carryat its uppermost end a laterally extending anm 302 that may be swung acomplete revolution about thevertical axis defined by the standard. Aboom-carrying yoke 304 is rotatably supported on and projects verticallyupward from the end of such laterally extending arm 302 and isbifurcatedadjacent its upper end to receive the boom 306 therebetween,as best shown in FIG. 4. In order to support the boom 306 yet permit itsinertial vibratory motion, a shaft 308 projects between the bifurcatedupper end of the yoke 304 and carries a dual-section dependent arm 310in pendulum-like fashion for pivotal movement about the horizontal axisof the shaft. At its lower end, such arm 310 pivotally carries a sleeve312 that rotatably supports the boom 306 at a central portion thereof sothat the entire boom structure can be rotated about its own longitudinalaxis within such sleeve. Suitable collars 314 are secured on the boom306 adjacent opposite ends of the sleeve 312 so that the boom positionis fixed axially of the sleeve, but in view of the fact that the sleeveitself is pivotally suspended, longitudinal vibratory motion of the boomwith the sleeve in substantially an axial direction is permitted.

in FIGS. 12 and 13, the shaking mechanism 316 includes a hydraulic motor76' that is connected by a belt and pulley arrangement 80' to actuaterotation of a suitable crank mechanism 70' and connecting rod 66' to theboom. 306 wherefore inertial energy can be imparted between the motorand the boom to effect longitudinal inertial reciprocation of thelatter. The hydraulic shaker motor 76 is connected by suitable hydrauliclines 320' extending along the boom 306 to a control valve 322 on theboom-supporting yoke 304, such valve being incorporated as part of acomplete hydraulic actuating system to be described hereinafter. To setthis valve 322, a control handle 324 extends from the valve to aposition adjacent the end of the boom, a suitable brace 326 supportingsuch handle.

Preferably, the position of the shaking mechanism 316 at the end of theboom is such that a handle bar 328 projecting therefrom extends beyondthe right side of the catching unit when the boom is transverselydisposed, as shown in FIG. 5, so that an operator standing on the groundcan, through manual grasping of this handle, effect a change in thedisposition of the entire boom 306 and shaking mechanism 316 and movethe remote end of the boom into appropriate disposition relative to atree T that is to be shaken thereby. Furthermore, the operator also hasready access to the handle 324 for the described control valve 322.

In order to effect engagement with a tree T that is to be shaken orvibrated, a generally C-shaped clamp 330 is mounted at the remote end ofthe tubular boom 306 that lies, when transversely disposed as shown inFIG. 5, substantially over the left side of the catching uni-t. SuchC-shaped clamp 330 includes a mounting bracket 332 that is fixed to oneside of the outer end of the boom 306 and projects laterally and thenforwardly therebeyond to rigidly mount at its extremity alaterally-projecting, fixed, tree-engaging jaw 334 of slightly curved orhooked configuration and covered by a series of small, laterallyadjacentrubber rings, as shown most clearly in FIG. 8. The forwardly projectingmounting bracket 332 is in the form of a U-channel member that receivesbetween its inwardly directed flanges the lateral extremity of amoveable L-shaped bracket 336 that mounts a second treeengaging jaw 338so that the two jaws will be maintained in aligned relationship. Themoveable jaw 338 is also of hooked or curved configuration and iscovered with rubber rings so that on appropriate movement of the jaw,close resilient encompassment of a tree trunk or limb can be achieved.In order to effect motion of the moveable jaw 338, a rod 340 is securedto the end of the L-shaped bracket 336 so as to slideably enter the endof the hollow tubular boom 306 for connection to the end of a hydraulicactuating cylinder 342, the body of which is fixedly mounted within theboom and is provided with conventional laterally directed connections toflexible hydraulic lines 344 which extend along the length of the boomto a hydraulic control valve 346 on the boom supporting yoke 304. Toactuate this clamp control valve 346, a second control handle 348extends from it in substantial parallelism to the vibrator controlhandle 324 wherefore the shaker operator has immediate control of theboom position, the tree-clamp and the shaking mechanism.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, thementioned hydraulic actuating system is arranged to provide motive powerand control of the driven elements of both the catcher unit and theshaker unit mounted thereon. With additional reference to the diagram ofFIG. 9, such hydraulic actuating system includes the pump 210 that isdriven by the gasoline engine 212 mounted at the right rear of thecatching unit, as previously described. Such pump draws hydraulic fluidfrom the mentioned reservoir or tank 211 mounted on the catching unitand delivers such fluid through three main control valves whose settingsdetermine which elements of the catcher and shaker units are energized.Initially, the fluid passes into a catcher control valve 290 whichconstitutes a four-way valve operable at 2000 pounds per square inchwhich constitutes the full operating pressure of the hydraulic system.Hydraulic conduits extend from the catcher valve 290, which isphysically located closely adjacent the hydraulic pump 210 on thecatcher unit (see FIG. 4), and pass through a pressure control valve 292to the hydraulic motor 208 that drives the rear wheels 204 of thecatcher, as described, either forwardly or rearwardly. The pressurecontrol valve 292 is made variable so that the fluid supplied to thehydraulic motor 208 will have a pressure within a range of from -2000pounds per square inch, the hydraulic fluid being returned to thereservoir 211 through a suitable return hydraulic line. Alternatesetting of the catcher valve 290 allows flow of fluid directly throughthe main hydraulic conduit to the shaker control valve 322 which ismounted, as previously described, on the boom-supporting yoke 304. Thisshaker valve 322 also constitutes a four-way valve operable at 2000pounds per square inch, and under control of the described handle 324accessible to the operator of the shaker, delivers fluid through theflexible lines 320 to the shaker motor 318 and thence back through areturn line to the shaker valve. Fluid from the shaker valve 322 passesthrough the main conduit to the clamp valve 346 that is also physicallylocated on the boom-supporting yoke 304. The clamp valve 346incorporates a pressure control mechanism so that it constitutes afour-way valve normally operable at a pressure of approximately 600pounds per square inch, such pressure having been found desirable inachieving clamping engagement of the tree with the described clampstructure. Fluid emanating from the clamp valve 346 is returned througha suitable flexible conduit to the hydraulic fluid reservoir 211. Itwill be observed that although various pressures are required in variousparts of the harvester unit for appropriate actuation and control, thedescribed hydraulic actuating system meets the needs for all of theseelements although supplied from a single source of hydraulic pressure.Furthermore, the

control for the catching unit is at one physical position thereon sothat the driver of the mobile unit can readily control motion of suchunit. On the other hand, the shaker. control valves are mounted on theshaker unit and are accessible to the operator controlling the positionof the boom so that facility in positioning of the boom, clamping of theboom to the tree, and subsequent vibration ofthe boom and the tree isunder his immediate control.

In operation of the harvesting unit, the harvester operator drives theentire unit through the orchard while the left wing 240 is rolled orretracted, the boom 306 is somewhat longitudinally aligned with thecatching frame 200, and the bin-receiving forks 280 are slightly raisedto provide good ground clearance. With the elements so positioned, thedriver steers the mobile unit through the orchard until the left sidethereof is substantially centrally aligned with the tree T from whichfruit or nuts are to be harvested, and spaced some two or three feettherefrom, such latter clearance permitting the operatorto drive theunit at a suflicient distance from the tree to avoid collision therewithand consequent damage to the tree or the harvester frame. After thelateral centrally aligned disposition is attained, drive to the rearwheels 204 is stopped and the left wing 240' is released so that it mayproject itself laterally into a position. of

engagement with the tree trunk, the central resilient portion of thewing resiliently engaging and encompassing such trunk, as best shown inFIG. 5. It is to be observed that since the left wing 240 projectsitself straight outwardly from the frame 200, it can freely pass underthe low hanging branches of the tree T. Once this harvesting positionhas been obtained, the driver of the unit actuates the endless conveyor218 and lowers the forks,

if necessary, so that the bins thereon are below the end of the conveyorat the rear of the unit. While the driver performs these operations, theshaker operator manually positions the boom 306 on its pivotal supportuntil the C-clamp 330 is in loose encompassing relationship with thetrunk of the tree T or with alimb of a tree, if desired. He thereupongrasps the clamp handle 348 and effects tight'resilient closure of theclamp on the trunk or limb of the tree T, and thereafter through use ofthe shaker handle 324 instigates actuation of the shaker motor 318 toimpart a substantially axial to and fro force through the boom 306 tothe clamp 338 and thus to the engaged tree T. It will, of course, beunderstood that a similar catching unit will be preferably positioned onthe opposite side of the tree, and the two units receive the fruit ornuts dislodged from the tree by the-vibration thereof and subsequentlyelfect conveyance thereof into the receiving bins or boxes. It may beobserved that the power requirements for the combined shaker andcatching unit are not excessivesince the shaker motor 318 does notoperate when the mobile unit is moving and vice versa. teen horsepowergasoline engine is more than adequate to meet all of the powerrequirements of the entire unit.

In the-harvesting of certain types of fruit or nuts, it has been foundthat more effective harvesting is accomplished if the vibratory forcesare exerted from various angles and, for this purpose, a modifiedembodiment of a portion of the harvesting unit is illustrated in FIG. 10and FIG. 11. Elements in these figures of like nature are identified bylike numerals with an added prime notation, such modification entailsplacement of the shaker unit directly on the clamp structure in, amanner such that the shaker can be angularly adjusted relative to theaxis of the tree during operation so that a variation of the force anglecan be achieved. As shown in FIG. 10, the clamp structure itself isgenerally similar to that described and illustrated in FIG. 8 includinga fixed jaw 350 and a moveable jaw 352 that can be hydraulically movedinto tree encompassing relationship, the entire structure beingsupported at the end of a boom 396' that is centrally supported forpivotal motion on arms 310' supported from a yoke 304' substantiallylike the mechanism shown in FIGS. and 6. Since the shaker mechanism hasbeen placed at the clamp end of the boom, weight can be added to theboom. 306' adjacent the handle 328 at its remote end to maintain astructure which is balanced like that shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The fixedjaw 350 is modified in that it includes an arcuate rod 354 spacedoutwardly therefrom in substantially parallel relationship and slideablysupporting a bracket 356 which is connected to one end of a shaker unit358 similar to that described in connection with the second embodimentof the invention so that forces from such shaker unit will be directedsubstantially through the vertical axis of the tree T. Moreparticularly, the shaker unit 358 corresponds to that shown in FIGS. 12and 13 including a hydraulic motor driven from a suitable hydraulic pumpthrough lines 344' to actuate a crank and connecting rod and thussimilarly provide the inertial shaking force. The projecting rod 360? ofan actuating hydraulic cylinder 362 is also connected pivotally to theshaker bracket 356 and the remote-end of the hydraulic cylinder ispivotally secured to a mounting bracket 364 projecting laterally andforwardly from the main support for the fixed jaw 350. Suitablehydraulic connections (not shown) to this hydraulic cylinder 362 enablemotion of the shaker bracket 356 slideably along its arcuate supportingrod 354 so that the entire shaker unit 358 is carried therewith and theangle of its applied force is accordingly varied, it being notable thatthe direction of the force vector always extends substantially throughthe central vertical axis of the tree T.

. The operation of this shaking mechanism is substantially similar tothat described with respect to the previ- It has been found in practicethat a fifous embodiments, but it is to be particularly observed thatduring operation of the shaker unit, 358, its position may be changedthrough suitable hydraulic actuation of the positioning cylinder 362.Thus, during vibration of a tree T, the angle of vibration can bechanged and the operator may observe its results and theireffectiveness. Furthermore, clamping engagement is maintained with thetree throughout such angular adjustment of the applied forces and limbor bark damage is thus avoided.

Various other modifications and/or alterations of the describedstructures can obviously be made without departing from'the spirit ofthe invention; and accordingly, the foregoing description of severalembodiments is to be considered as purely exemplary and not in alimiting sense. The actual scope of this invention is to be indicated byreference to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A fruit and nut harvester which comprises a generally horizontalmobile frame, an endless conveyor having upper and lower flights mountedfor movement generally longitudinally of said frame, wings extendinglaterally outwardly and upwardly from said frame on both sides of saidconveyor, a boom having a tree-engaging clamp at one end thereof, meanssupporting said boom on said frame for free substantially longitudinaldisplacement, and means including powered positively actingreciprocating means connected to and mounted on said boom for axialmotion relative to said boom for actuating longitudinal reciprocatorymotion thereof whereby a tree engaged by said clamp is shaken todislodge the fruit or nuts thereon but substantially no force istransmitted to said frame, said boom-supporting means being arranged sothat lateral translational movement of said boom is substantiallyprecluded.

2. A fruit and nut harvester according to claim 1 wherein said wings aremounted on said frame for movement between extended positions andretracted positions entirely adjacent the edge of said conveyor.

3. A fruit and nut harvester according to claim 1 wherein the upperflight of said endless conveyor slopes upwardly longitudinally of saidframe, and which harvester includes means for supporting receiving binsadjacent the higher end of said conveyor flight.

4. A fruit and nut harvester which comprises a generally rectangularmobile frame, means including a hydraulic motor for moving said frame,drive means including a hydraulic pump on said frame for driving saidmotor, means including a valve on said frame for controlling hydraulicconnection between said pump and frame motor, a boom having atree-engaging clamp at one end thereof, means supporting said boom onsaid frame for longitudinal displacement, means including a hydraulicmotor on said boom and positively acting reciprocating meansinterconnecting said motor and said boom for effecting longitudinalreciprocation of said boom, means on said boom including a hydrauliccylinder for actuating said tree-engaging clamp, and means includingcontrol handles on said boom for controlling hydraulic connectionbetween said boom motor and said clamp cylinder with said hydraulicpump, said valve and said boom motor and cylinder control means beingselectively energizable to alternatively actuate motion of said mobileframe or said boom motor and clamp cylinder.

5. A fruit and nut harvester which comprises a mobile support, a boomhaving a tree-engaging clamp at one end thereof, means supporting saidboom on said support for free substantially longitudinal displacement,and means carried from said boom for actuating longitudinalreciprocatory motion thereof whereby a tree engaged by said clamp isshaken to dislodge the fruit or nuts therefrom but substantially noforce is transmitted to said mobile support, said boom-supporting meansbeing arranged so that lateral translational movement of said boom issubstantially precluded.

6. A fruit and nut harvester according to claim wherein saidboom-supporting means includes pivot means permitting both vertical andhorizontal angular variation in the disposition of said boom.

7. A fruit and nut harvester according to claim 5 wherein saidboom-supporting means includes means for adjusting said boomlongitudinally relative to said mobile support.

8. A fruit and nut harvester according to claim 5 wherein saidboom-reciprocating means is mounted on said boom at a position remotefrom said tree-engaging clamp.

9. A fruit and nut harvester according to claim 5 wherein said boomreciprocating means is mounted on said clamp.

10. A fruit and nut harvester according to claim 9 which comprises meansm-ounting said reciprocating means for angular adjustment relative tosaid boom whereby forces applied to an engaged tree are made variable intheir direction of application.

11. A fruit and nut harvester which comprises a treeengaging clamp,means adjustably supporting said clamp for positioning intree-encompassing relation, means actuating said clamp to establishtight-gripping engagement with the tree, and an inertia tree shakingmechanism adjustably supported on said clamp for angular adjustmentrelative to said clamp whereby shaking forces can be applied to the treeat various selected directions.

12. A fruit and nut harvester which comprises a generally horizontalmobile frame, an endless conveyor mounted for movement generallylongitudinally of said frame, wings extending laterally outwardly andupwardly from said frame on both sides of said conveyor, one of saidlateral wings being flexible, and means including a rotatable shaft forrolling said flexible wing thereon from extended to retracted position,with said flexible wing rolled in a spiral configuration thereon.

13. A fruit and nut harvester according to claim 12 which compriseswing-extension means connected between said frame and the lateralextremity of said flexible wing to resiliently urge said wing toward itsextended disposition.

14. A fruit and nut harvester according to claim 12 wherein the centralportion of the lateral extremity of said flexible wing includes aresilient supporting member adapted to resiliently engage a tree trunkupon extension of said wing thereagainst.

15. A fruit and nut harvester which comprises an inertia shakingmechanism carrying a boom for free axial movement relative to saidshaking mechanism, means carried on said boom adapted to grip a fruit ornut tree to be shaken, means carried on said inertia shaking mechanismfor vibrating said boom axially with respect thereto, and mounting meansholding said shaking mechanism and said boom in a manner which allowsfree axial reciprocation of said shaking mechanism whereby thelongitudinal vibration of said boom and the tree gripped thereby isbalanced by the opposed longitudinal vibration of said shakingmechanism, said mounting means holding said shaking mechanism and saidboom so that lateral translational movement thereof is substantiallyprecluded.

16. A tree shaking device which comprises a support, a boom carried fromsaid support for free substantially axial movement with respect thereto,a source of power carried from said support for free axial movementrelative to said support and said boom, and a positively-actingreciprocating means interconnecting said source of power and said boomwhereby the axial movement of said boom is balanced by the opposed axialmovement of said power source, said boom and said source of power beingcarried so that lateral translational movement thereof is preeluded.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,027,403 5/1912Darling.

1,626,068 4/1927 Bartlett 56-329 X 2,386,881 10/1945 Phillips 56-329 X2,436,648 2/ 1948 Isom 5 6-329 2,522,906 9/1950 Smith 56-328 X 2,690,63910/1954 Goodwin.

2,692,470 10/ 1954 Bowman 56-328 2,700,268 1/ 1955 Lowe.

2,714,281 8/1955 Steele 56-329 2,913,866 11/1959 Curtis 56-329 3,041,8117/1962 Sides 56-328 3,077,721 2/1963 Balsbaugh 56-328 ABRAHAM G. STONE,Primary Examiner.

M. C. PAYDEN, Assistant Examiner.

1. A FRUIT AND NUT HARVESTER WHICH COMPRISES A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL MOBILE FRAME, A ENDLESS CONVEYOR HAVING UPPER AND LOWER FLIGHTS MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT GENERALLY LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID FRAME, WINGS EXTENDING LATERALLY OUTWARDLY AND UPWARDLY FROM SAID FRAME ON BOTH SIDES OF SAID CONVEYOR, A BOOM HAVING A TREE-ENGAGING CLAMP AT ONE END THEREOF, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID BOOM ON SAID FRAME FOR FREE SUBSTANTIALLY LONGITUDINAL DISPLACEMENT, AND MEANS INCLUDING POWERED POSITIVELY ACTING RECIPROCATING MEANS CONNECTED TO AND MOUNTED ON SAID BOOM FOR AXIAL MOTION RELATIVE TO SAID BOOM FOR ACTUATING LONGITUDINAL RECIPROCATORY MOTION THEREOF WHEREBY A TREE ENGAGED BY SAID CLAMP IS SHAKEN TO DISLODGE THE FRUIT OR NUTS THEREON BUT SUBSTANTIALLY NO FORCE IS TRANSMITTED TO SAID FRAME, SAID BOOM-SUPPORTING MEANS BEING ARRANGED SO THAT LATERAL TRANSLATIONAL MOVEMENT OF SAID BOOM IS SUBSTANTIALLY PRECLUDED. 